Chiropractic & Neck Pain

About three quarters of our population will be plagued with neck pain at some point in their lives.  At any point in time approximately 10% of the population is experiencing some type of neck pain.  It certainly is no small problem for our society and it is a big problem for sufferers.  As with any condition, finding the best treatment is crucial.

The January 2012 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine published a study by Bronford et. al. entitled Spinal Manipulation, Medication, and Home Exercise with Advice for Acute and Subacute Neck Pain. (You can read the complete study at: http://www.annals.org/content/156/1_Part_1/1.full.pdf+html )  This randomized study looked at people who had neck pain for 2 to 12 weeks.  Having pain for that time period is what is considered to be acute or subacute pain. The people in the study were given either spinal manipulation (chiropractic adjustments), medication or home exercises with advice for a period of twelve weeks.  Their pain levels were evaluated at 2, 4, 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks.  

The findings showed clearly superior results for the manipulation group over the medication group at each evaluation after week 4.  Even though initially the people taking medication showed improvement, at 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks their results were far inferior to the manipulation group. The results for the home exercises combined with advice was similar to the manipulation group.  Although it was not part of this study, it would be interesting to see what the results would be when chiropractic adjustments and home exercises are combined.  That's what I generally recommend.


Chiropractic care is effective because instead of just numbing the symptoms, it addresses the cause of the pain.  A large portion of neck pain cases are caused by vertebral subluxations.  A vertebral subluxation is when the joints of the spine have lost their proper motion and position resulting in irritation of the surrounding nerves.  Chiropractors specialize in the detection and correction of vertebral subluxations.


The Bronford study adds to the long list of research papers which show chiropractic care is superior to medications for both neck and low back pain.  We have a number of other studies summarized on our website at http://www.powers-jans.com/index.php?p=228152 .  It's important however to keep in mind that chiropractic is about more than just pain relief.  It's about allowing the body to function normally.  It's about health.

Massage Therapy

To say I was over due for a good massage was an understatement.  I usually have a therapeutic massage every 3 - 4 weeks.  It had been almost 8 weeks.  When I go that long been massages, the experience is not usually real pleasant.  My muscles tighten up too much over that length of time.  It is easier on both me and the therapist when I get massaged regularly.  The massage therapists at Powers & Jans Centre don't usually have mercy on me either, so I try to avoid neglecting my massages.

There are good reasons to get a massage regularly.  Therapeutic massage produces a host of beneficial effects in the body.  These include improving flexibility, muscle tone, blood flow, and lymphatic drainage.  This helps promote soft tissue healing.  Massage helps to increase dopamine and serotonin levels in the body enhancing a person's sense of well being.  The immune system is also stimulated.  Massage is also extremely beneficial in stress reduction.

As chiropractors we find that therapeutic massage works very complementary to our chiropractic adjustments.  We regularly coordinate massages and adjustments for a variety of conditions including headaches, neck pain, back pain, and sprains/strains.  Shoulder, arm, hip, knee and leg problems also benefit from combined treatments.


From my personal stand point, I function better when I get a therapeutic massage on a regular basis.  Not only are my muscles less tense, but my overall motion is improved.  As part of an overall strategy to maintain health, all of the benefits listed above are important.  Having a healthy lifestyle involves putting together many pieces, all of which lead to the end result of health.  No one thing will make us healthy.  Therapeutic massage can be a very valuable component of a healthy lifestyle.  It certainly is for me.


Even though I regret that it was so long between massages, Amanda was kind to me.  There were a few areas that were quite sore as she worked on them but I felt so much better when she was done.  I promise Amanda, I won't go so long between massages again. 

From the Inside Out

At my latest eye exam, my optometrist gave me a brief education session on retinal scans.  He described what he looks for and showed me normal (my eyes) along several abnormalities from other scans he has done.  The information he garners from these retinal scans is impressive.  They offer a glimpse to the inside of the body.  As the discussion progressed he described how, for the most part, the retina is really just a reflection of the health of the rest of the body.

Circulatory problems in particular show up very readily in the eye.  Retinal scans of smokers are definitely not pretty because of oxygen deficiency.  Liver and kidney problems are also reflected in the health of the retina.  The key take-away point is that the eye cannot be separated from the rest of the body.  This is true for every part of the body.  It's all connected.  If you want to have healthy eyes, you need to have a healthy body.  Your eyes cannot be younger than your liver, kidney or bowel.  

This concept is important when we evaluate all the "anti-aging" products and discussions that abound.  All parts of the body are the same age.  "Anti-aging" cannot be applied successfully to one area and not the others.   Look after the health of the whole body and all it's parts will be healthier.  When we are healthy we function like we are younger.

One of the foundational principles of chiropractic is that health comes from above, down, and inside, out.  Health doesn't come from outside the body (although what comes from outside can affect health).  Only the life force within us can heal us.  Only the life we have can produce health.  If we are unhealthy on the inside we will not be able to manifest health outwardly, no matter how many lotions or potions we apply or consume. 

Because the nervous system controls every function in the body, it's important to assure that there is no compromise in this system.  Chiropractic's specialty is to remove interference from the nervous system using specific chiropractic adjustments.  Combined with a lifestyle that promotes health, chiropractic is a vital part of being healthy.  Chiropractic works with the body to allow health to manifest from above, down and inside, out.

Purchasing Exercise Equipment

After making New Year's resolutions to improve their physical fitness, many people are on the hunt for exercise equipment.  Retailers are keenly aware of this and are offering great deals on a wide variety of equipment.  Consequently, one of the most common questions patients ask at this time of year is, "What kind of exercise equipment should I buy?"

The answer usually on the tip of my tongue is, "Only buy equipment that you will actually use."  And it needs to be used to exercise with - not to hang your laundry on, not to provide entertainment for the kids and their friends.  Although intentions may be great the reality is that most exercise equipment purchased gets used regularly for only a short time after it is bought and then it becomes a pain to keep dusted.  At least covering it with laundry keeps the dust off.  One reason for this is that using only a single piece of equipment becomes boring very quickly. One of the advantages of going to the gym is that the variety of equipment and exercise options helps keep exercising interesting.


To answer the original question about purchasing equipment in a different manner, a person needs to first determine how to make exercising engaging.  Then the type of equipment to be used can be more easily determined.  Bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines, etc, - each have their own advantages and disadvantages.  The important thing is to determine what will best suit your individual needs and goals.

Start by realistically assessing your current level of health and fitness.  If you have advanced joint problems even walking on a treadmill may be too harsh to begin with.  Whole body vibration combined with stretching and posture exercises may be a good starting point.  If you are capable of walking without injuring yourself, a graduated walking routine with stretching and light weights may be appropriate.  The key is to start slowly and build up while keeping things interesting enough so that you will continue to exercise.  Error on the side of caution.  Even a minor injury can derail the exercise program for a long time if you are in poor physical condition. 

Excercise equipment doesn't need to be elaborate.  Sure weight machines and treadmills are nice to use, but you can start out with just a good pair of shoes or some open floor space.  Floor exercise routines can be very effective while walking outdoors can be done in most conditions and it is preferable to a treadmill.  Hand weights and gym balls are very reasonably priced and effective exercise aids.  No special equipment is needed to start an yoga program.


Any given piece of exercise equipment is limited in the exercises you can do with it.  To work the entire body effectively it is best to do a variety of different forms of exercise. Personally I do floor, weight, walking/running, posture, balance, vibration, and stretching exercises.  I use a whole body vibration machine, a treadmill, a weight machine, and a gym ball.  The exercises and equipment I use varies with each exercise session.  This assures that my whole body is worked in a variety of ways and it helps keep exercising interesting.


Buying exercise equipment can be a very good thing.  Just make sure that whatever you buy will be a effective part of an overall fitness program.